But it is the cyclical nature of the industry which makes it really difficult to solve the problem. Who wants to invest millions or billions of dollars in projects or infrastructure which are unlikely to pay out? The money has to be there up front, or it just won't happen. By the time the permits are gathered, the hearings are done, and the go-ahead comes in, the price crashes again. It just keeps the problem the way it is.
I would love to work steadily until retirement--that might make retirement possible, as opposed to using up savings to keep the lights on when the industry goes dead in the water for a year or two.
I get by, and have worked at a lot of interesting sideline jobs, from construction work to calling bingo, to dealing blackjack in a titty bar.
You manage, especially when there are kids to feed, and now we are raising grandchildren...
Yes, it would be in our country's best interest to have the means to be energy self sufficient developed, but frankly, that would not be happening if gas was still only a dollar a gallon.